The text below is a translation of information found in several Italian books. An idea I have had for a long time in order to make it easier for others to learn and appreciate the wonderful Italian techniques and craftsmanship. The information is far from complete and deals with general subjects as terminology, types of shells and the general set-up of a typical Italian (nighttime) display. The names and terminology presented are in common use throughout Italy, but depending on the region of Italy other names and terminology may be used.
General setup of a typical Italian (nighttime) display:
A typical Italian display has to be loud and powerfull (Forza Italia!). That’s why Italian shells have a loud break which projects the stars over a wide area. The break is almost too powerfull for the stars to ignite. Some shells are filled with (tiny) inserts that either contain stars or a flash composition. The individual salutes and inserts that are being used are extremely loud (especially when being compared to their Chinese brothers of equal size). An Italian display is sort of like a heavy locomotive that is accelerating to it’s maximum speed and sound.
Figure 5: Several completed shells
Below is a general chronological order in which shells are mostly fired in a classical italian (nighttime) display:
Bomba da Tiro: multi-break shell (individually fired during the start (“apertura”) of the display)
Bomba a spacco e lampi (or Bombetelle): shell with coloured bouquet and small salutes
Effect (e.g. crossette): shell with bouquet
Bomba a spacco e botta: shell with coloured bouquet and loud salute
Effect (e.g. blinker): shell with bouquet
Bomba con stelle a botta: shell with coloured stars to salute
Bomba a spacco (con controcolpo): shell with bouquet (and bottomshot)
Effect (e.g. crackling, pioggia bianca): shell with bouquet
Bomba a farfalle (con controcolpo): shell with farfalle bouquet (and bottomshot)
Effect (e.g. kamuro): shell with bouquet
Bomba scala a otto (con contrabomba): shell with rapidly, but very precisely timed, “botti”
Fermata: two-break shell (intrecci to controbomba)
Gaponiesta: big calibre spherical shells with symetrical bouquet (this part of the display is called “giapponesata”)
Stutata: shell of shells, often fired in rapid succession one after the other. Not before all shells have broken will the first shell show its effect. Based on the amount of “stutate” this rapid firing is called “tre per tre”, “quattro per quattro” or “cinque per cinque”. Higher, like “nove per nove”, is possible, but very rarely seen.
Fermata: three- or four-break shell (intrecci to contrabombe)
Finale (generally five parts): Principio, Variazioni, Inferno, Stretta and Chiusura
1 – Principio (Beginning): launching of “sbracatelle”: single break shells with lots of “colpetti” (and some coloured stars) to give a continuous cadence.
2 – Variazioni (Variation): launching of various shells like scala 5, 8, 16, 21, riprese to controcolpo, intrecci to controcolpo or controbomba, stutata.
3 – Inferno (Mayhem): the launching of shells with “colpetti” becomes faster and faster to a maximum.
4 – Stretta (Stretta): launching of big calibre shells with three to four breaks from various positions ever going faster.
5 – Chiusura (Closing): launching of one volley of salutes.
The finale has to be a steadily growing roar of thunders (going crescendo). It should never loose its tempo and impact. This is mainly achieved by good timing with “spolette” and time fuses. Timing strongly affects daylight displays, because the rhythm of the sound (and smoke) is the only effect. In nighttime displays there is some margin due to colour effects. However, also in nighttime displays timing is very important.
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Literature:
Fuochi Pirotecnici – L’arte e i segreti, Francesco Nicassio, Levante Editori, Bari, 1999
Pirotecnia Moderna, F. di Maio, Hoepli, Milano, 1891
Fuochi Artificiali, T. de Francesco, G. Lavagnolo, Torino, 1960
General setup of a typical Italian (nighttime) display:
A typical Italian display has to be loud and powerfull (Forza Italia!). That’s why Italian shells have a loud break which projects the stars over a wide area. The break is almost too powerfull for the stars to ignite. Some shells are filled with (tiny) inserts that either contain stars or a flash composition. The individual salutes and inserts that are being used are extremely loud (especially when being compared to their Chinese brothers of equal size). An Italian display is sort of like a heavy locomotive that is accelerating to it’s maximum speed and sound.
Figure 5: Several completed shells
Below is a general chronological order in which shells are mostly fired in a classical italian (nighttime) display:
Bomba da Tiro: multi-break shell (individually fired during the start (“apertura”) of the display)
Bomba a spacco e lampi (or Bombetelle): shell with coloured bouquet and small salutes
Effect (e.g. crossette): shell with bouquet
Bomba a spacco e botta: shell with coloured bouquet and loud salute
Effect (e.g. blinker): shell with bouquet
Bomba con stelle a botta: shell with coloured stars to salute
Bomba a spacco (con controcolpo): shell with bouquet (and bottomshot)
Effect (e.g. crackling, pioggia bianca): shell with bouquet
Bomba a farfalle (con controcolpo): shell with farfalle bouquet (and bottomshot)
Effect (e.g. kamuro): shell with bouquet
Bomba scala a otto (con contrabomba): shell with rapidly, but very precisely timed, “botti”
Fermata: two-break shell (intrecci to controbomba)
Gaponiesta: big calibre spherical shells with symetrical bouquet (this part of the display is called “giapponesata”)
Stutata: shell of shells, often fired in rapid succession one after the other. Not before all shells have broken will the first shell show its effect. Based on the amount of “stutate” this rapid firing is called “tre per tre”, “quattro per quattro” or “cinque per cinque”. Higher, like “nove per nove”, is possible, but very rarely seen.
Fermata: three- or four-break shell (intrecci to contrabombe)
Finale (generally five parts): Principio, Variazioni, Inferno, Stretta and Chiusura
1 – Principio (Beginning): launching of “sbracatelle”: single break shells with lots of “colpetti” (and some coloured stars) to give a continuous cadence.
2 – Variazioni (Variation): launching of various shells like scala 5, 8, 16, 21, riprese to controcolpo, intrecci to controcolpo or controbomba, stutata.
3 – Inferno (Mayhem): the launching of shells with “colpetti” becomes faster and faster to a maximum.
4 – Stretta (Stretta): launching of big calibre shells with three to four breaks from various positions ever going faster.
5 – Chiusura (Closing): launching of one volley of salutes.
The finale has to be a steadily growing roar of thunders (going crescendo). It should never loose its tempo and impact. This is mainly achieved by good timing with “spolette” and time fuses. Timing strongly affects daylight displays, because the rhythm of the sound (and smoke) is the only effect. In nighttime displays there is some margin due to colour effects. However, also in nighttime displays timing is very important.
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Literature:
Fuochi Pirotecnici – L’arte e i segreti, Francesco Nicassio, Levante Editori, Bari, 1999
Pirotecnia Moderna, F. di Maio, Hoepli, Milano, 1891
Fuochi Artificiali, T. de Francesco, G. Lavagnolo, Torino, 1960
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